Device for actuating an alarm in the case of breaking in

ABSTRACT

Device for actuating an alarm in the event of a breaking into a premises by opening a door or the like. The device comprises a lock for locking the door, a detecting mechanism for detecting the opening of the door and connected through an arming mechanism to an alarm signal generator. The arming mechanism comprises a switch which is actuated directly by the bolt of the lock for either allowing or precluding actuation of the alarm. The switch is of the type having a pushbutton and is successively closed and opened and vice versa by successive depressions of the pushbutton effected by the bolt.

United States Patent [1 1 Blosse 1 DEVICE FOR ACTUATING AN ALAEM IN THECASE OF BREAKING IN [75] Inventor: Jean Charles Joseph Blosse, Sannois,

France [73] Assignee: Bloscop, Sannois, France [22] Filed: May 19, 1972[21] Appl. No.: 255,030

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 19,1971 France 71.18129 [52]U.S. Cl 340/274, ZOO/61.62, 200/61.68 [51] Int. Cl. G08b 13/08 [58]Field of Search 340/274, 276; 200/61.62, ZOO/61.67, 61.68, 61.81,153 J,100, 61.78

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 262,393 8/1882 FreemanZOO/61.67

567,176 9/1896 Unger ZOO/61.78 963,301 7/1910 Leppert 340/274 UX1,126,951 2/1915 Bucknum... 200/61.78 1,820,805 8/1931 Jakopec 340/2742,446,217 8/1948 Druffel 340/274 UN X 2,492,474 12/1949 Gempp 200/61.782,615,083 10/1952 Krueger 340/274 UN X Sept. 3, 1974 PrimaryExaminerJohn W. Caldwell Assistant Examiner-Scott F. Partridge [5 7]ABSTRACT Device for actuating an alarm in the event of a breaking into apremises by opening a door or the like. The device comprises a lock forlocking the door, a detecting mechanism for detecting the opening of thedoor and connected through an arming mechanism to an alarm signalgenerator. The arming mechanism comprises a switch which is actuateddirectly by the bolt of the lock for either allowing or precludingactuation of the alarm. The switch is of the type having a pushbuttonand is successively closed and opened and vice versa by successivedepressions of the pushbutton effected by the bolt.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures II/II PAIENTEDSEP 31914 SHEET 20F 3 MU I I IIHHHHH l lllllll isms-99 PAIENTEDSEP 3:974

sum 30F 3 DEVICE FOR ACTUATING AN ALARM IN THE CASE OF BREAKING IN Thepresent invention relates to a device for actuating an alarm signal inthe case of the breaking'in of a. premises or other enclosure.

Such devices are known in the art. They usually employ a detectingmechanism responsive to the movement of the closing member closing theaccess to the premises or enclosure, an arming mechanism for allowing orneutralizing the actuation of the alarm by enti-' tled persons fromoutside or inside the closing member, and an alarm signal generatorplaced near to, or remote from, the aforementioned detecting and armingmechanisms.

Two types of devices exist, namely those in which the device can bearmed only from inside the premises or enclosure and those in which thedevice can be armed from either inside or outside.

In the latter case, the arming is effected preferably by means of alock, latch or like apparatus which is independent or specially providedfor this purpose or con stitutes a locking meanswhich also serves tolock the closing member in the closing position.

Now, in the arrangement known up to the present time, when the lock isintended both for locking the closing member and arming the device,there is provided, in some cases, between the latter and the lock amechanical connection, for example of the cable or rod type, which isrelatively complicated and expensive. Further, when the closing memberis a door of an apartment or like premises, this mechanical connectionimpairs the appearance of the door. In other cases, the arming isachieved by means of a switch which is constituted by two fixed contactsembedded in the door frame, whereas the moving contact of the switch isformed by the bolt of the lock for closing the closing member. Suchanarrangement has a seriousdrawback when fitting the standardized assemblyon the door unit. Indeed, it is frequent, for example in the case of adoor, that the closing member defines a clearance with the frame whichmay vary widely from one closing member to another. Consequently, thedevice can only be mounted by a specialist and this is a disadvantage inrespect of an article intended to have a wide market by direct sale tothe public.

An object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks of knownarrangements.

The invention provides a device for actuating an alarm when breakinginto a premises or enclosure defined by a wall or like enclosure havingan opening capable of being closed by a closing member such as a door,window or the like, which closing member is lockable by means of lockingmeans such as a lock, the device comprising a detecting mechanismresponsive to the opening of said closing memberand capable of actuatingan alarm signal generator whichis connected to the detecting mechanismthrough an arming mechanism' which allows or precludes the actuation ofthe alarm, said arming mechanism being controlled by said locking means.The arming mechanism is an electric switch having successive actuationsand a pushbutton, the latter being actuated directly through the movingelement performing the locking function of said locking means. I

These features afford a very compact detecting device whose connectionsbetween the various mechanisms are essentially ensured electrically bywires which may be easily hidden away. Moreover, the bolt of the lockingmeans does not directly participate in the establishment of theelectrical circuit.

Preferably, the switch having successive actuations is disposed in acase constituting a keeper and the movable bolt element of the lockingmeans acts on the pushbutton of the switch in the closing position ofthe locking means.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe ensuing description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an alarm actuating device according tothe invention associated witha bolt or a safety lock of a door;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partly in section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, ofthe device shown in FIG. I, and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a modification ofthe device according to the invention.

The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is associated with a door P, forexample of an apartment, the latter constituting the enclosure to beprotected. However, it must be understood that the invention is notintended to be limited by the presently-described example and thatv theenclosure may be, for example, a premises, an arcadefined by a wall orfence, a house, or individual building, a drawer, a refrigerator, or anautomobile vehicle.

Similarly, the closing member may be other than a door, for example awindow or portal.

Mounted on the frame H of the door is a. case I having a doublefunction. It first actsas a keeper for a lock V of conventional typewhose bolt A is horizontally slidable.

The case 1 also acts as a housing for an arming mechanism 2 and a partof a detecting mechanism 3.

The lock V has preferably two locking positions. In the first position,the bolt is introduced into the keeper, that is the case 1, through aslot or notch 4 provided in the conventional manner in the wall adjacentthe edge of the door P. In the second position of the lock V, the bolt Aextends still further into the case 1 so that its leading edge 5 comesin contact with a pushbutton 6 of the arming mechanism 2.

The latter is constituted by an electric switch of known type havingsuccessive positions or actuations, that is to say, the switch comprisestwo fixed contacts and a moving contact, the latter being capable ofoccupying two stable positions which are occupied in succession aftertwo successive depressions on the push button 6. In one of thepositions, the movingcontactis applied against the fixed contactswhereas in the: other position the switch is opened,.the moving contactbeing disengaged from the fixed contacts. The fixed contacts of thisswitch are electrically connected to: two connecting screws 7 and 8outside the housing. of the switch. The housing is fixed tothe'case l byscrew and nut means 9.

The effect of the bolt A of the lock V on the arming mechanism will beunderstood. By placing; the bolt A twice in the extreme outer lockingposition the pushbutton 6; is depressed twice and successively. opensandcloses the switch or inversely.

The detecting mechanism B comprises an- L-section member 10 whichis-notdisposed in the case. 1 but fixed ontheedge of the door P' so thatthe flange 10 of the 3 member is capable of acting on the free end of aresiliently yieldable metal strip 11 which is mounted horizontally inthe case 1 against the rear wall 12. This strip has preferably afoldable free end portion which permits, when mounting or fitting thedevice on the door, regulating its operative length so as to adapt it tothe clearance between the keeper and the edge of the door. The member ismaintained in position by two screws 13 which extend through oblongapertures 14 arranged to permit adjustment of the member in thehorizontal plane. Likewise, the resiliently yieldable strip 11 is fixedin the case 1 by screw and nut means 15 which ex tend through an oblongaperture 16 allowing adjustment of the strip 11 in the horizontal plane.

Thus it is possible to take into account tolerances and differenceswhich might exist in different doors or other existing closing members,by previously adjusting the positions of the member 10 and the strip 11.

The strip 11 is capable of acting on a switch 17 through a curved strip18 and a curved spring 19 which ensures a sudden operation of the switchin the wellknown manner.

In the position of the door P shown in FIG. 2, the flange 10 of themember 10 bears against the strip 11 which urges the curved strip 18 insuch manner that the moving contact 17 is disengaged from the fixedcontact 17'' of the switch under the action of the spring 19.

On the other hand, when the door P is opened, the flange 10 isdisengaged from the strip 11 and releases the strip 18 under the actionof the spring 19. The latter also urges the moving contact 17 againstthe fixed contact 17" by a sudden action.

The switch or arming mechanism 2 and the switch 17 are electricallyconnected in series and connected by two wires 20 and 21 to an alarmsignal generator 22 the diagram of which is shown in FIG. 1. Thisgenerator is preferably placed at a distance from the door P in a placehidden from view. It comprises a source of voltage 23 supplying power toa circuit consisting of a siren 24 or like apparatus, a relay coil 25, aclosing contact 26 actuated by the relay coil 25, and an on-off switch27 which could be actuated by a key. The closing contact 26 is connectedin series with the series circuit of the switch 2 and switch 17.

In a modification, the switch 17 and the L-sectioned member 10 may bereplaced by a switch having a magnetic control for example of the typehaving blades under a glass ampoule, the magnet being mounted on thedoor and the switch being placed on the keeper or in another suitableplace.

The device according to the invention operates in the following manner:

Let it be assumed that an entitled person is in the apartment anddesires to leave the apartment and arm the device. This person opens thedoor by opening the lock V in the usual manner. In this way, the switch17 is closed but the switch 2 is not yet closed and the generator 22 isnot brought into operation. Closure of the door brings about the openingof the switch 17 and the person, now outside the apartment and desiringto arm the device, bring the bolt A of the lock V to the extreme closingposition by means of his key which he engages in the usual manner in thelock V for closing the door P. In doing so he acts on the pushbutton 6and therefore closes the switch 2.

In order to maintain thedoor P locked, the person then returns the lockA to the first closing position.

If, under these conditions, an offender attempts to open the door, themember 10 is disengaged from the strip 11 so that the switch 17 closesin the manner described hereinbefore. At this moment, the circuit of thegenerator 22 is closed, the siren 24 is actuated and the relay coilcloses the contact 26. Thus the siren continues to operate even if theoffender cuts the wires 20 and 21 or destroys the switches enclosed inthe case 1.

7 is disposed in the same case as the arming and detecting mechanisms 2and 3. For this purpose, there is provided a case 28 of larger size thanthe case 1 and closed by a cover 29 in which is provided a lock 30.Moreover, it can be seen that the case contains all the elements of thegenerator. The lock 30 permits opening the case 28 for stopping thealarm, for example by withdrawing the source of voltage 23. In thisarrangement, no on-off switch is provided outside the case which may beactuated by the offender.

The embodiments described hereinbefore have been given only by way ofexamples. For example, it is possible to provide the detecting mechanismin a place other than that shownin FIGS. 13, for example at the top ofthe door P.

The advantage of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is that it may beemployed with an existing lock, only the keeper being replaced by a case1 containing the arming and detecting mechanism.

Having now described by invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for actuating an alarm in the event of a breaking intopremises, ground enclosed by a wall or like enclosure having an openingcapable of being closed by a closing member, such as a door, window orthe like, said device comprising locking means for locking the closingmember in the closing position of the closing member, the locking meanshaving a movable member and an associated keeper, said movable lockingmember being movable between a withdrawn position from said keeper andtwo locking positions within said keeper, a detecting mechanismresponsive to the opening of said closing member, an alarm signalgenerator, means operatively connecting the detecting mechanism to thegenerator and comprising an arming mechanismhaving a switch capable ofbeing actuated directly by the locking member of said locking means,when moved to one of said locking positions, for selectively allowingand precluding actuation of the alarm, said switch being of the typehaving a push button with an associated moving contact and two fixedcontacts,

said moving contact being urged into contact with said two fixedcontacts, to complete a circuit through said switch, by a movement ofsaid locking member, against said pushbutton and to the one of thelocking positions of said locking member to its fully extended position,

said moving contact being retained in this position when said lockingmember is withdrawn from contact wherein said pushbutton to the otherone of the locking positions wherein said locking member is within saidkeeper, and said moving contact being disengaged from said two fixedcontacts on a next movement of said locking member from said other oneof the locking positions to said one of the locking positions, andwherein the detecting mechanism comprises a second electric switchdisposed within said keeper and a thrust means which is carried by theclosing member and is capable of opening the second switch when theclosing member closes said opening.

. STATES PATENT OFFICE- *C ERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,833,899Dated September 3, 1974 Jean Charles Joseph Blosse Inventor(s) It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cancel the illustrative figure on the Cover sheet and the 3 sheets ofdrawings and substitute Figures 1, 2 and 3, as

shown on the-attached sheets.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of October 1974.

Y (SEAL) Attest:

c. NARSHALL 'DANN MCCOY M. GIBSON JR.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer USCOMM'DC OO37G-P69 U.S,GOVERNMENY PRINTING OFFICE: 9 9

romeo-1050 (10-69) STATES PATENT OFFICE "C'E'R TI'F-I-CATE OF CORRECTIONPatent No. 3 ,833 899 Dated September 3, 1974 Jean Charles Joseph BlosseInventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cancel the illustrative figure on the Cover sheet and the 3 sheets ofdrawings and substitute Figures 1, 2 and 3, as

shown on the-attached sheets.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY 1 GIBSON JR. 0. NARSHALL 'DANN Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer Page 3 Patent No. 3,833,899

1. A device for actuating an alarm in the event of a breaking intopremises, ground enclosed by a wall or like enclosure having an openingcapable of being closed by a closing member, such as a door, window orthe like, said device comprising locking means for locking the closingmember in the closing position of the closing member, the locking meanshaving a movable member and an associated keeper, said movable lockingmember being movable between a withdrawn position from said keeper andtwo locking positions within said keeper, a detecting mechanismresponsive to the opening of said closing member, an alarm signalgenerator, means operatively connecting the detecting mechanism to thegenerator and comprising an arming mechanism having a switch capable ofbeing actuated directly by the locking member of said locking means,when moved to one of said locking positions, for selectively allowingand precluding actuation of the alarm, said switch being of the typehaving a push button with an associated moving contact and two fixedcontacts, said moving contact being urged into contact with said twofixed contacts, to complete a circuit through said switch, by a movementof said locking member, against said pushbutton and to the one of thelocking positions of said locking member to its fully extended position,said moving contact being retained in this position when said lockingmember is withdrawn from contact wherein said pushbutton to the otherone of the locking positions wherein said locking member is within saidkeeper, and said moving contact being disengaged from said two fixedcontacts on a next movement of said locking member from said other oneof the locking positions to said one of the locking positions, andwherein the detecting mechanism comprises a second electric switchdisposed within said keeper and a thrust means which is carried by theclosing member and is capable of opening the second switch when theclosing member closes said opening.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1further comprising a resiliently yieldable strip mounted on said keeperand with one end of said strip extending laterally away from saidkeeper, said thrust means being a member fixed on said closing member tocooperate with said One end of said strip, an intermediate portion ofsaid strip being associated with said second electric switch, whereby,when said closing member is moved away from its position for closing theopening, said movable strip is allowed to move and said second electricswitch is closed.